Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Malcom Glazer & family certainly have their critics among Bucs fans, but it appears they're hoping to win some people over by kicking back millions of dollars to the community.

Just not the Tampa Bay community.

Reports out of New Orleans indicate the Glazers will join Saints owner Tom Benson in chipping in for a new stadium for the Tulane Green Wave. Of course, the Glazers should have some extra dough around - they didn't have to pay a dime for Raymond James Stadium.

Then again, realize Tulane U's difficult position - it's not like it can threaten to move to a new city if it doesn't get a new stadium.

More than two years ago, I covered a contentious meeting where then-city commissioner Kelly Kirschner warned the city's cost of the ballpark upgrades could balloon:

The fear is construction could cause problems at the site (a former landfill) and while commissioners wanted to cap the city's liability (one idea thrown about was a $1M cap), the Orioles implied they would not sign any deal where they would be responsible for environmental problems.

Commissioner Kelly Kirschner, who voted against the agreement, called it a "blank check" for the Orioles over the course of their time in Sarasota, since they have final say in any and all construction at the site but the city has theliability.

"I'm not sure that's the wisest thing to do in negotiations," said Kirschner. "I would have liked to see more time and talk to some consultants to come up with a better-negotiated solution between the two parties."

"If this were a true partnership, (the Orioles) would be willing to accept a limitation of the city's liability," say Kathy Antunes of "Citizens for Responsible Government," a group against the deal. "Right now, the way this was just approved, they can make any kind of construction plans they want, regardless of how it impacts the environment and cost to thecity."

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that City Manager Bob Bartolotta accused the Orioles of "'trying to make a convoluted argument' to get the city to pay for field upgrades that should have come from a $24 million stadium renovation funded by taxpayers."

And you thought the Rays had the exclusive rights to stadium soap operas in Greater Tampa Bay...

Supply-and-demand will dictate many other tickets' prices, as the more popular games like those against the Red Sox or Yankees - may see small price increases. However, many tickets for the less-popular games, like those against the Orioles, Royals, and A's, will see some tickets decrease in price.

The St. Petersburg Times announced it will become the Tampa Bay Times on Jan. 1, meaning the arena will likely become the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Lightning haven't confirmed the news yet; they will make their own name change announcement soon.